companding

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Audio. A contraction of "compressing" and "expanding." As it applies to wireless microphones, the audio signal is compressed by the transmitter then sent out over the airwaves to the receiver where it is expanded. Also a function of DSP.

From Rane's Pro Audio Reference Glossary:

compander A contraction of compressor-expander. A term referring to dynamic range reduction and expansion performed by first a compressor acting as an encoder, and second by an expander acting as the decoder. Normally used for noise reduction or headroom reasons.